Prince Albert Ratepayers' & Residents' Association

Annual General Meeting...

 and good news from the Mayor

Almost forty members of the Ratepayers' & Residents' Association attended the AGM on 13th September. For the first time, the meeting was held at the Sydwell Williams hall to make it easier for members from North End to attend.

The meeting was short, sharp and particularly sweet. Business was done correctly in accordance with the Association's Constitution, and the Mayor's speech was of particular interest to all Prince Alberters. It was a pity that so few residents had turned out to hear it.

Apologies were received from Andrew Tudhope, Albert Geldenhuys, Mayor Lottering, Stephan Schoeman, Merle Cleaver and Ingrid Wolfaardt.

Chairperson, Barbara Castle, welcomed everyone and asked Pastor Nico Cloete of the VG Church to begin the meeting with a prayer. This was followed by the Chairperson's address in which she regretted the breakdown in meaningful communication with the municipality after the suspension of the previous Municipal Manager, Juanita Fortuin. However she was pleased to report that, following the May Municipal Elections, a very positive and promising picture had emerged. The Association had already had a number of encouraging meetings with Executive Mayor, Cllr Goliath Lottering, and other senior municipal officials including the current acting Municipal Manager, Heinrich Mettler.

She reported back on the Association's achievements during the year and finished on an optimistic note saying, "Prince Albert is one of only a handful of Residents' Associations in the whole of South Africa that can boast a good working relationship with their Councillors and their Municipality we believe that Prince Albert will become a role model for other municipalities."

Executive Mayor, Cllr Lottering had apologised to the Association earlier saying he had to be at a budget planning meeting with the Premier, Helen Zille. To make up for it he had sent his PA, Ferdie Willemse, along to take any questions and to give out copies of his speech. The Speaker, Cllr Margy Jaftha, enthusiastically delivered his speech in which he stated that his vision was "to ensure reasonable, effective and sustainable services to the entire community by a vibrant and dedicated administration." His Mission Statement included welcome emphasis on the need for community involvement, accountable government, unbiased service delivery and transparency. His speech also emphasised the importance of well-trained and competent staff and stressed that "the community is a cardinal element of the Municipality and its members have statutory rights which need to be respected."

Many important issues concerning the community of Prince Albert were highlighted and he made it clear that the Municipality would strive for an Unqualified Audit in the 2013/14 year. His speech concluded by saying it was important for the Ratepayers' & Residents' Association to maintain the role of watchdog while also putting emphasis on partnership innovations between the community and the municipality.

Under the heading Election of Office Bearers, Barbara Castle, Andre Goosen, Hugh Forsyth, Andre Jaquet and Kelly Cloete were re-elected to the committee. Barbara Gorniak was elected as a most welcome newcomer.

The committee looks forward to a positive and rewarding year... all indications from the Mayor's office are that the next one should be a good one for Prince Alberters.

Copies of the Chairperson's address, the Mayor's speech, and the AGM Minutes are available for download in PDF below.